Oregon Timber Frame Open House



Join Doug and Leanne Smith, Independent Representatives for Davis Frame Company in the Pacific Northwest for an open house this fall! The Smith's timber frame home and carriage house are both completely off-grid. Their home was recently voted "Timber Frame Home of the Year," by the Timber Frame Business Council.

The solar timber frame home features 2,850 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A guest timber frame carriage house is also located on their 27 acre property. The Smith's know a lot about what it means to live green, you won't want to miss this open house event!

Date: Saturday, October 1st

Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: 67775 Cloverdale Rd.

Sisters, Oregon

For more information on this open house event, contact the Smith's today by calling 541-977-8285!

Best Heating Systems For Your Home

What Does Davis Frame Recommend for a Heating System?

We highly recommend radiant heat and most of our clients choose radiant heat for their new timber frame homes. Radiant heat is the most popular central heating system on the market today.

So what is radiant heat? Heating tubes or panels, which can be installed in any type of floor system, are heated by either water pipes, electric elements, or air channels embedded in the channel. Water pipes are most popular, as they are very versatile and can be heated with virtually any utility, including natural gas, oil, propane, wood, solar or electricity. Air is warmed gently so hot air doesn't rise and stay at the ceiling. Unlike convective heating systems (forced hot air and baseboard), which may have significant temperature variations between the floor and ceiling, radiant heat varies only 2-4 degrees F.

Radiant heat not only increases comfort but also helps lower utility bills. Thermostat settings are kept lower while you stay cozy, multiple zones can be set up to regulate unused rooms, and the use of thermal mass for off-peak storage can all reduce energy bills.

An added benefit is improved air quality. Allergy sufferers notice a big difference with radiant heat, no big blasts of hot air stir up dust and dirt in the home. The result is a cleaner and healthier air.

Clean, healthy, comfortable, energy-efficient, safe and cost competitive, radiant heat is the way to go when you are building a new timber frame home or any style home. There are a variety of different radiant heat brands, just do your research and make sure you find a good installer! If you would like to know the radiant heat companies our clients have used, give us a call today at 1-800-636-0993. Build your new home beautifully and energy efficient.

This Mascoma Lake timber frame home has radiant heat throughout the home

Fall Timber Frame Home Shows

Davis Frame will be attending two of The Log and Timber Frame Home Shows this fall. We hope you will be able to visit our booth at one of these upcoming events. Check out the show details below:

The Log and Timber Frame Home Show-West Springfield, Massachusetts

Dates/Show Hours

Friday, November 4, 2011
11 am - 6 pm

Saturday, November 5, 2011
10 am - 6 pm

Sunday, November 6, 2011
10 am - 4 pm

Booth #: 404

Location:
Eastern States Exposition-The Young Building
1305 Memorial Ave. (Rte. 147)
West Springfield, MA 01089

Click here for directions......

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The Log and Timber Frame Home Show-Secaucus, New Jersey

Dates/Show Hours
Friday, November 11, 2011
1 pm - 7 pm

Saturday, November 5, 2011
10 am - 6 pm

Sunday, November 6, 2011
10 am - 4 pm


Booth #: 518


Location:
Meadowlands Exposition center
355 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, NJ 07094

Click here for directions......

Check out some of our events page to learn more about our upcoming falls events, including timber frame open houses!

Alaska Timber Frame Home Under Construction

Our latest project is a timber frame home in Alaska! Independent Representatives, Doug and Leanne Smith worked with our client in Alaska on their new timber frame home project near Kenai Lake. The Davis Frame timber frame is set on a lot that captures a beautiful view of the nearby lake and mountains.

This 3,615 square foot timber frame home was custom designed by a local Alaska Design Company, Alaska Plan Service. The home was designed to maximize the views of the mountain and lake nearby. To capture the views from the great room, the floor plan is reversed with the main living area on the second floor and the bedrooms on the first floor. The first floor of the home will host a large master suite, guest bedroom and bathroom as well as the laundry room. The second floor features a large great room that opens into the kitchen and dining area. Off of the kitchen is a large pantry. A half bathroom is also located on the second floor. There is also a lower level that will host a shop for the homeowner, as well as an office, craft room and storage.

Visit our jobsite photos for more photos of this timber frame raising in Alaska!

Call us today at 1-800-636-0993 to learn more about our timber frame homes!

Fall Timber Frame Open House in Vermont

We are proud to announce the location of our annual OkTIMBERfest event! Our fall timber frame open house event will be in Wallingford, Vermont. Wallingford, Vermont is located in the heart of Vermont's ski country; it's only 15 minutes from Okemo Mountain and 30 minutes from Killington. Join us and tour this recently built timber frame home and enjoy fall inspired refreshments!

Our featured timber frame home is called the Vermonter and has 5,591 sf and was designed to entertain friends and family. The first floor features a spacious and open floor plan with a first floor luxurious master bedroom suite. The second floor hosts two guest bedrooms, a shared bath and an open loft that overlooks the great room. A finished basement is also included in the plan and this space will feature a large entertaining space, mini bar, wine cellar and an additional guest bedroom and bathroom. This home is truly spectacular and is a must see! Check out the construction photos for this new timber frame home in Vermont.

Enjoy a scenic drive through New England and enjoy the foliage. To register and receive directions for this open house event, give us a call at 1-800-636-0993!

The original "Vermonter" built in 2000

Solar Home in Oregon Wins Timber Frame Home of the Year!

Davis Frame is proud to announce that one of our timber frame home's won the title "Timber Frame Home of the Year" by the Timber Frame Business Council! Independent Representative's Doug and Leanne Smith's Platinum Earth Advantage certified solar timber frame home in Oregon won the title and the home couldn't be more deserving. The Smith's home is not only beautiful, but is also off-grid and very energy efficient.

The Smith's timber frame home is 2,850 square feet and features a spacious and open floor plan with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Also on their 27 acre property is a guest timber frame carriage house that is also off-grid. The Smith's know a lot about what it means to live green!

Below are the energy efficient and green features of the timber frame home:

• The home features Oregon-grown Douglas Fir timbers with old-world mortise/tenon joinery

• Passive solar heating & cooling achieved by careful home & window placement & high R value walls & ceilings
• Structural Insulated Panel Walls (R26) & ceiling (R-40) & floors (R-38 ) by using under-floor insulation eliminate need for air conditioning & minimize heating requirements;
• Totally off-grid via 27 photovoltaic solar panels for electricity, domestic hot water and in-floor heating
• Use of recycled/reclaimed building materials, i.e., reclaimed barn wood cabinets, barn wood ceilings and flooring; cork flooring, recycled metal counter tops & sconces
• Energy smart appliances and lighting to minimize electrical power demand
• Durable materials, i.e., travertine floors, recycled metal & granite counter tops & exterior stone skirt & concrete decks
• Built-in wet/dry cleaning system for a cleaner, healthier home.
• Gerard recycled metal roof with natural clay tile look
• Insulated concrete/styrofoam walls
• Water well & Cistern support low-water-use systems for plumbing & natural//xeriscape landscaping.

Are you looking to build a timber frame home? Call us today at 1-800-636-0993! If you are planning on building in the Pacific Northwest, give Doug and Leanne a call at 541-977-8285.

National Timber Frame Company

Where Do You Ship Your Homes?

Davis Frame Company is a national designer and manufacturer of timber frame homes. We work with clients throughout the U.S.A and have shipped timber frames in New England, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado, Oregon and Alaska. Currently we are working on an international project and will be shipping a timber frame package this fall to the Cayman Islands. We also have Independent Representatives that cover many regions of the U.S.A. If we do not have a rep in your area, you can work with one of our in-house project coordinators. With our online meeting tool, we are virtually able to work with clients from all over. Our timber frame packages are fabricated in our shop, then loaded onto flat bed trucks and your timber frame package is delivered directly to your jobsite.

Check out some of timber frame homes across the country:

Solar timber frame home in Oregon

Custom timber frame home in Washington

The Mountainside timber frame home in Colorado

Timber frame home on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina

Florida timber frame home

If you're interested in learning more about Davis Timber Frame Homes, call us today at 1-800-636-0993!

Eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod Timber Frame Homes

Bay Colony Timber Frame represents Davis Timber Frame Homes in Eastern Massachusetts, including the north and south shores, cape cod and the islands. Bay Colony Timber Frame is the combination of Steve Petty, Jason Hammer and Sam Sherman.

The Bay Colony Timber Frame team will work with you to make sure you create the timber frame you have always dreamed of. The first step will be to meet with you at your building site to provide a full site evaluation. This will help determine how your new home should be positioned to maximize views and natural lighting. Next, Bay Colony will work with you on the design of your new timber frame home or addition and assist you on choosing materials for your new home package. The Bay Colony Team has over 75 years of combined experience in home design, construction, land evaluation and permitting.

About Steve:

Steve Petty has been in the building industry since the 1970's. After years of being an associate of Jeff Davis, Steve became Davis Frame Company's Independent Representative for Eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod and has worked on over 40 projects over the past 15 years. Steve's is also a talented designer and works with his clients on hand sketches. His client's appreciate his professionalism, enthusiasm and patience.

About Jason:

Jason Hammer met Steve Petty a few years ago while working as a builder on a couple of Steve's Davis Frame projects. Jason owns Caddis Construction, a residential construction company in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He is passionate about building and works closely with his clients to ensure they receive the results they desire, from the foundation to the finish work.

About Sam:

Sam, owner of Sam Sherman Associates on Martha's Vineyard has over 30 years of experience in home design and construction. Sam and Steve have worked together on several Davis Frame projects over the years and Bay Colony Timber Frame is happy to have Sam assist Davis Frame client's on Martha's Vineyard. 

To learn more about our timber frame homes, give us a call today at 1-800-636-0993!

All About Structural Insulated Panels

Timber frame home with SIPs

What are Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)? Why are they often used with Timber Framing?

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) are one of the most convenient and energy efficient forms of insulation available to the building market. This type of panel system is considered to be high-performance with generous R-values for the wall and roof panels. Typical panel systems usually consist of a solid foam core "sandwiched" between two pieces of oriented strand board (OSB). Panels are either 4 feet or 8 feet wide; lengths vary from 8 feet to 24 feet. (Photo: Murus EPS panel).

At Davis Timber Frame, we choose to use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) with our timber frame homes for a few different reasons.

• The combination of timber framing and SIPs offers superior strength and durability.

• Building with timber bents and SIPs allows you to build your exterior shell in no time, much faster than conventional construction.
• Limited construction waste
• SIPs provides a "tight" structure, so tight that often an air exchange system is needed.
• SIPs provide a more sound proof home, draft free and will save you on your monthly energy bills.
• SIPs are manufactured without wall studs which eliminates thermal bridging and provides SIPs with high r-values.

If you are interested in learning more about our timber frame and SIPs packages, call us today at 1-800-636-0993!

Berkshires and Catskills Timber Frame Homes

The Loholdt's new timber frame home in the Berkshires on their family farm

We are excited to introduce our new timber frame Independent Representatives for the Berkshires and Catskills, Springhill Frame and Land Company! Managed by Jeff and Carrie Loholdt, Springhill Frames will represent Davis Timber Frames in Western Massachusetts and the Catskills in New York as well as Litchfield County Connecticut.

The Loholdt's became acquainted with Davis Frame first as clients. They are currently in the process of finishing their new Davis Timber Frame Home on their family farm in the Berkshires.Their experience building a new timber frame home makes them a highly qualified resource for anyone looking to build their own custom timber frame home.

 Timber frame raising last year

Jeff and Carrie offer an extensive background in land development and real estate. Both are licensed real estate professionals and they can assist you in finding the perfect site for your new home. They also have strong relationships with some of the country's leading developers in Upstate New York, Raleigh-Durham & Chapel Hill, North Carolina as well as Coastal Georgia.

If you are looking to build a timber frame home or addition in the Berkshires or Catskills, contact Springhill Frames today by calling 877-202-7335.

Small Timber Frame Homes

One question we receive often is, "I noticed on your website that the timber frame homes are mostly large and completely timber framed. Can I build a small timber frame home or a home that has some conventional construction?"

This is a great question! There are no limitations in the size of the home design unless you have restrictions from your community or town. Back a few years ago, many of our timber frame homes were large and over 3,000 square feet, however, with the economy and the cost of living going up, we have seen a trend in small timber frame homes. We are designing timber frame homes of all sizes and recently worked with a client to build a 480 square foot cabin. One of our most popular floor plans, the Classic Homestead 1 plan is only 1,764 square feet, small enough to be efficient but features an open floor plan that feels spacious. We are currently working with 3 clients who are using the Classic Homestead 1 floor plan for their new home!

Also, you do not have to build a fully timber framed home. In fact, many of our clients choose the hybrid timber frame option which typically features timber framing in the main living areas of the home such as the great room, dining room and kitchen, while the remainder of the home is conventionally framed. This option can save you money and still give you the timber frame look.

Visit our Search Timber Frame Plans By Square Feet page to see the different size predesigned timber frame plans we have to offer. If you do not see anything that meets your needs, contact us today and we can discuss our custom design services. Call 1-800-636-0993!

A Client's Journey to Building His Timber Frame Home

One Davis Frame client was happy to share his journey on building a new timber frame home! Wade Max was the general contractor for his project and was there every step of the construction process. Weather delays and challenges occured, but in the end, Wade couldn't be happier with the end result, a beautiful timber frame he will call home.

Read Wade's story below:

After 5 years of planning, we finally decided to start construction on our new timber frame home. After researching timber frame companies, we chose to work with Davis Frame Company. We worked with Davis Frame from the beginning on the design and there were multiple revisions and tweaks to fit the cost into our budget. Davis Frame was very gracious to work with us through this process and we finalized the contract with Peter, the Sales Manager. Peter was helpful and responsive through the process.

We started the construction process for our new home in late February of 2011 and nine weeks and 100 yards of concrete later, we were ready to take delivery of the timber frame package. Through Davis Frame, we hired a private timber frame contractor, Dick Bird to oversee our crew (myself and a father/son team), to assist with the timber frame raising.
 
The timber frame raising was set to start right as we were experiencing tornado warnings in Tennessee, so there was a slight delay. The problem didn't only start with the weather delay, but the delivery truck couldn't make the turn into the driveway. After making a mad dash through the driveway entrance, the truck became stuck in the mud (probably from the 4" of rain from the night before). We used the Lull to try to move the tractor trailer a little further to unload. We soon found out that the truck wouldn't be able to make the next turn. After overheating the engine of the Lull (not meant to be a tow truck), we decided to start unloading the timber frame package in the mud. After letting the Lull rest and replacing the battery, the unloading went smoothly..........

Read more about Wade's timber frame journey here!